초록 ▼

Wheeled personal mobility vehicles with extremely thin stowed profiles are provided, which in one embodiment, include a plurality of movable, collapsible wheel axle assemblies which are supported on a support frame and movable between an operative state where the wheels provide rolling support, and

Wheeled personal mobility vehicles with extremely thin stowed profiles are provided, which in one embodiment, include a plurality of movable, collapsible wheel axle assemblies which are supported on a support frame and movable between an operative state where the wheels provide rolling support, and a collapsed state where the wheels are moved into the side elevational profile of the device. The embodiment provides for both integrated propulsion and steering linkage to the wheels when they are manually moved into their operative position, along with a collapsible steering mechanism, a support base and at least one collapsible seat. This embodiment may also provide for pedal power, battery, fuel cell or motive power as well as remote control operation. Several alternative pedal or motive power, wheeled devices and tricycles collapse all parts into a thin, side elevational profile, and one alternative "tricycle" embodiment includes a multiple jointed "A-frame" embodiment incorporating folding handlebars as well as movable wheel axle assemblies which parts all fold into two or more parallel planes to provide for extremely thin, compact storage and/or transport. Various embodiments may include unique multi-function folding pedals which may be manipulated to provide for selective changing of gears, glide mode, as well as friction braking.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A wheeled device comprising: at least three wheels for providing rolling support for said device; a steering column for providing steering control of at least one of said wheels; at least two pedals mounted on respective pedal shafts affixed to at least one wheel of said at l

What is claimed is: 1. A wheeled device comprising: at least three wheels for providing rolling support for said device; a steering column for providing steering control of at least one of said wheels; at least two pedals mounted on respective pedal shafts affixed to at least one wheel of said at least three wheels such that rotation of the pedal shafts produces rolling movement of said device; a movable central support frame; a seat movable along said central support frame; a rear support frame defining a side elevational profile; a wheel mounting assembly for at least two of said wheels, each wheel mounting assembly being affixed to said rear support frame and being movable between a first, operative position wherein the wheel thereof is erected to provide rolling support for said rear support frame and a second, stowed position wherein the wheel member assembly is angularly displaced from said first position so as to be at least close to being disposed within the side elevational profile of the rear support frame; a further wheel mounting assembly for affixing the at least one wheel to said steering column; at least one first movable joint connecting the central support frame and the rear support frame and providing movement of said central and rear support frames between a first, operative position wherein the central and rear support frames are angularly displaced and a second stowed position wherein said central and rear support frames are at least close to being disposed within a common side elevational profile; and at least one further movable joint connecting the steering column and the central support frame and providing relative movement of the central support frame between a first, operative position wherein said central support frame is angularly displaced with respect to the steering column and a second, stowed position wherein said central support frame is disposed substantially parallel to and in close proximity to said steering column. 2. A wheeled device according to claim 1 further comprising releasable means for retaining the central support frame in the operative and stowed positions thereof with respect to the steering column and the at least one wheel. 3. A wheeled device according to claim 1 further comprising a single releasable means for retaining the central support frame in both the operative and stowed positions thereof with respect to the steering column. 4. A wheeled device according to claim 1 wherein the central support frame is resiliently maintained in the second, stowed position thereof adjacent to the steering column by engagement between at least one part of the wheel mounting assembly and said central support frame. 5. A wheeled device according to claim 1 wherein the steering column includes at least one movable handle movable between a first, operative position wherein the handle is displaced with respect to said steering column, and a second, stowed position wherein said handle is at least close to being disposed within an elevational profile defined by said steering column, the at least one wheel, and said respective wheel assembly. 6. A wheeled device according to claim 1 wherein the at least one first joint connecting the central and rear support frames comprises a pivotable joint enabling movement of the rear frame to a further, stowed position disposed at a 180째 angle from the first, operative position of the support frames. 7. A wheeled device according to claim 1 further comprising means for mounting the seat on the central support frame such that the seat is angularly displaced relative to said central support frame in a first, operative position of the seat, and such that the seat is disposed to at least close to being within a side elevational profile defined by the central support frame in a second, stowed position of the seat. 8. A wheeled device according to claim 1 further comprising means for mounting the seat on the central support frame such that said seat is selectively movable to a plurality of positions along said central support frame. 9. A wheeled device according to claim 1 wherein the rear support frame is constructed to serve as a foot ledge for a user and to provide a cargo storage space. 10. A wheeled device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the pedals mounted on the pedal shaft of said at least one wheel is movable between a first, operative position angularly displaced from said at least one wheel and a second, stowed position at least close to being disposed in a parallel plane with said at least one wheel. 11. A wheeled device according to claim 1 further comprising a foot step and ledge pivotably mounted by at least two support arms to said rear support frame and movable between a first, stowed position at least close to being disposed within the side elevational profile of the rear support frame, and a second, operative position outside of the side elevational profile of the rear support frame. 12. A wheeled device according to claim 1 wherein said wheel assemblies include at least two oppositely mounted wheel assemblies which, when moved into the stowed positions thereof, are stacked in at least partially overlaying relation. 13. A wheeled device comprising: a support frame defining a side elevational profile; a plurality of wheel assemblies affixed to said support frame, said wheel assemblies each including a wheel and being movable between a first, operative position wherein the wheel thereof is erected to provide rolling support for said support frame and a second, stowed position wherein said wheel assemblies are angularly displaced from said first position so as to be at least close to being disposed within the side elevational profile of the support frame; at least one of said wheel assemblies including a shaft connected to the wheel of at least one wheel assembly, a pair of rotating pedals mounted on said shaft such that a pedaling action of said pedals causes rotation of said shaft and corresponding rotation of the wheel of said at least one wheel assembly to produce rolling movement of said device; a support base mounted on said support frame and including at least one seat; a steering column; at least one wheel assembly, and said associated steering column, occupying a first, operative position in a plane orthogonal to the support frame and a second, stowed position whereby the at least one wheel assembly and its associated steering column each pivot at least close to 90째 wherein said at least one wheel assembly and said steering column each are at least close to being stowed contiguous to the side elevational profile of the support frame; at least one latch means for securing the at least one wheel assembly in said operative position and in said stowed position; and said steering column including a steering mechanism arranged such that when both the steering column and the at least one wheel assembly are in the respective operative positions thereof, movement of the steering column transfers the movement of the steering column through the steering rod to cause axial movement thereof to the wheel. 14. A wheeled device according to claim 13 wherein the steering mechanism includes a handlebar unit comprising a central handlebar pivot joint, a handlebar sleeve, and first and second matching handlebar members each having one end thereof received by said handlebar sleeve so that the handle members are selectively linked rigidly and are secured together as a single unit to said sleeve in a first, operative position, and in a second, stowed position each handlebar member is not linked or rigidly secured to said handlebar pivot joint.